[1] The word “offspring” in Acts 17.28 is quite different. It is [Greek script] (genos), which means merely kin or kind, our genus as being originated by God.
This is why angels are called “sons of God” in every other place where the expression is used in the Old Testament. Job 1.6 ; 2.1 ; 38. 7. Ps. 29.1 ; 89.6. Dan. 3. 25 (no art.).[2] We have no authority or right to take the expression in Gen. 6.2, 4 in any other sense. Moreover, in Genesis 6.2 the Septuagint renders it “angels”.
Angels are called “spirits” (Ps. 104. 4. Heb. 1. 7, 14), for spirits are created by God.
That there was a fall of the angels is certain from Jude 6.
The nature of their fall was clearly stated in the same verse. They left their own [Greek script] (oiketerion). This word occurs only in 2 Cor. 5.2 and Jude 6, where it is used of the spiritual (or resurrection) body.
The nature of their sin is stated to be “in like manner” to that of the subsequent sins of Sodom and Gomorrha, Jude 7.
The time of their fall was given as having taken place “in the days of Noah” (1 Pet. 3.20. 2 Peter 2.7), though there may have been a prior fall which caused the end of “the world that then was” (Gen, 1.1. 2 Pet, 3.6).
For this sin they are “reserved unto judgment”, 2 Pet. 2. 4, and are “in prison”, 1 Peter 3. 19. Their progeny, called Nephilim (translated “giants”), were monsters of iniquity ; and, being superhuman in size and character, had to be destroyed (see Ap. 25). This was the one and only object of the Flood. Only Noah and his family had preserved their pedigree from Adam (Gen. 6.9, see note). All the rest had become “corrupt” (shachath) destroyed [as Adamites]. The only remedy was to destroy it (de facto), as it had become destroyed (de jure). (It is the same word in v. 17 as in vv. 11, 12.) See further under Ap.25 on the Nephilim.
This irruption of fallen angels was Satan's first attempt to prevent the coming of the Seed of the woman foretold in Gen. 3.15. If this could be accomplished, God's Word would have failed, and his own doom would be averted.
As soon as it was made known that the Seed of the woman was to come through ABRAHAM, there must have been another irruption, as recorded in Gen. 6.4, “and also after that” (i.e. after the days of Noah, more than 500 years after the first irruption). The aim of the enemy was to occupy Canaan in advance of Abraham, and so to contest its occupation by his seed. For, when Abraham entered Canaan, we read (Gen. 12.6) “the Canaanite was then (i.e. already) in the land.”
In the same chapter (Gen. 12. 10-20) we see Satan's next attempt to interfere with Abraham's seed, and frustrate the purpose of God that he should be in “Isaac”. This attempt was repeated in 20. 1-18.
This great conflict may be seen throughout the Bible, and it forms a great and important subject of Biblical study. In each case the human instrument had his own personal interest to serve, while Satan had his own great object in view. Hence God had, in each case, to interfere and avert the evil and the danger, of which His servants and people were wholly ignorant. The following assaults of the great Emeny stand out prominently :----
The destruction of the chosen family by famine, Gen. 50. 20.
The destruction of the male line in Israel, Ex. 1.10, 15, &c. Cp. Ex. 2. 5. Heb. 11.23.
The destruction of the whole nation in Pharaoh's pursuit, Ex. 14.
After David's line was singled out (2 Sam. 7), that was the next selection for assault. Satan's first assault was in the union of Jehoram and Athaliah by Jehoshaphat, notwithstanding 2 Chron. 17. 1. Jehoram killed off all his brothers (2 Chron. 21. 4).
The Arabians slew all his children, except Ahaziah (2 Chron. 21. 17 ; 22.1).
When Ahaziah died, Athaliah killed “all the seed royal” (2 Chron. 22. 10). The babe Joash alone was rescued ; and, for six years, the faithfulness of Jehovah's word was at stake (2 Chron. 23.3).
Hezekiah was childless, when a double assault was made by the King of Assyria and the King of Terrors (Isa. 36.1; 38.1). God's faithfulness was appealed to and relied on (Ps. 136).
In Captivity, Haman was used to attempt the destruction of the whole nation (Est. 3.6, 12, 13. Cp. 6.1).
Joseph' fear was worked on (Matt. 1.18-20). Notwithstanding the fact that he was “a just man”, and kept the Law, he did not wish to have Mary stoned to death (Deut. 24.1) ; hence Joseph determined to divorce her. But God intervened: “Fear not”.
Herod sought the young Child's life (Matt. 2).
At the Temptation, “Cast Thyself down” was Satan's temptation.
At Nazareth, again (Luke 4), there was another attempt to cast Him down and destroy Him.
The two storms on the Lake were other attempts.
At length the cross was reached, and the sepulcher closed ; the watch set ; and the stone sealed. But “God raised Him from the dead.” And now, like another Joash, He is seated and expecting (Heb. 10 .12, 13), hidden in the house of God on high ; and the members of “the one body” are hidden there” in Him” (Col. 3. 1-3), like another Jehoshaba ; and going forth to witness of His coming, like another Jehoiada (2 Chron. 23. 3).
The irrruption of “the fallen angels” (“sons of God”) was the first attempt ; and was directed against the whole human race.
When Abraham was called, then he and his seed were attacked.
When David was enthroned, then the royal line was assailed.
And when “the Seed of the woman” Himself came, then the storm burst upon Him.
[2] In Hos. 1. 10, it is not beni-ha-Elohim, as here, but beni-el-chai.
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Source: Companion Bible, Appendix No. 23.
I do not agree with the claim that Genesis 6 is one of the most controversial, confusing, and convoluted Bible passages.
Moses wrote down what he was told to write, he had no first hand flesh experience of the events. I consider it most informative to reflect on what Moses wrote down in the description of the formation of the Adam. The flesh was formed but the flesh was not living until the 'breath of life' which literally means soul, was breathed into his nostrils. YET not one word is mentioned about when the Adam's soul was created, yet it existed.
Also the 'condition' of the Adam's flesh body was such that from it was removed a 'curve' (NOT a literal rib, as I was taught as a child), from which the woman was formed. Now that tells me that each soul before conception where gender is decided, contains the fullness of characteristics of male and female. Why else would the God established union of one man and one woman as becoming one flesh? Both were equally required to replenish this earth.... well now except no flesh man was needed for the conception of Christ... The question almost always ignored is when were all souls created? According to what Moses penned the soul existed before the flesh body. Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are Mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is Mine: that soul that sinneth, it shall die. Thus far only the devil and those 'souls' of Genesis 6 have been judge to die.
Interesting now is it not that when asked by His disciples what would be the 'sign' of His return one of the signs was that it would be again as it was in the days of Noe... (Matthew 24:37-39) This has not happened yet, but the stage does appear to being set for their return.
Because of the 'religiously' correct teachings I was given through my childhood, like the sin of the Adam and Eve was eating an apple, I was 'shocked' when I actually read the account for my self the Garden Party took place in a fig grove. I have yet to eat any kind of literal fruit and discover I was naked. So who created this so called controversy?
I have a Companion Bible that I have nearly worn out.